Flashback — Feb. 1999-Feb. 2002

Law settles $6.63M MIHA delinquency[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has signed a bill into law that would authorize the Commonwealth Development Authority to write off some $6.63 million in unpaid loans accumulated by the defunct Marianas Islands Housing Authority. In effect, the law would allow the Northern Marianas Housing Corp., a CDA subsidiary created to replace MIHA, to secure financing package for its home loan program designed for low and moderate income families. The amount represents portion of the $10 million in principal loan and interest payment due to CDA under an agreement entered into with MIHA on January 1987 for the construction of 150 housing units. However, MIHA was only able to built 52 units until it was dissolved in 1994 by Executive Order 94-3, which paved the way for the creation of NMHC. All assets and debts of MIHA were assumed by the housing corporation, impeding its ability to generate revenues necessary to carry out is home loan program for the commonwealth’s citizens.

The Philippine Consulate is inviting members of the Filipino community to participate in the Lakbay-Aral program slated in July. Lakbay-Aral or the “Travel Study” of the Philippine government is open to Filipinos who are residing abroad and are between 15 to 25 years old for a journey back home. Based on the information provided by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the program has scheduled activities that will highlight the richness of the Filipino culture, its traditions and values. For a $900 fee for each participant, its travel itinerary will include visits to Banaue, Baguio, Pampanga, Laguna and Bulacan. In Banaue, participants will witness the rituals of its native Ifugao. After which, they proceed to the summer capital of the Philippines. They will also have stop-overs at the Rizal Shrine in Calamba and the Barasoain Church of Malolos.

Fund hires in-house utilization reviewer
[/B] In compliance with the recommendations made by the Office of Public Auditor, the NMI Retirement Fund implements its utilization review program in hopes to prevent fraudulent health claims and overblown medical charges. Health and Life Insurance Program Manager Dolores Moore disclosed yesterday that papers of the newly-hired utilization review personnel is currently being processed. However, Moore refused to divulge the identity of the in-house review personnel pending the release of his official papers.

Rep. William S. Torres commended the State Board of Education and the Public School System for upbeat efforts in pushing for the construction of the Anatahan school in the Northern Islands. In a letter addressed to BOE Capital Improvement Projects Chair Roman C. Benavente, the legislator thanked the public education sector for “making the dreams of the students from Anatahan a reality” through this landmark project on the remote island. The establishment of a one-story structure to accommodate some 20 students is a part of PSS’ 10-year CIP blueprint.
[B] Feb. 8, 2002

NMI gets $13-M in US grants
[/B] In the presence of his staff, special advisers and the media, Gov. Juan N. Babauta yesterday signed two grant documents that would give the CNMI a total of $13 million in federal funds. Babauta said the two grants represent $11 million in Capital Improvement Program funds for fiscal year 2001-2002 and $2 million in Compact Impact payments. He said he received notification about the two grants last week from the Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.

Juan T. Lizama slapped a $16.2 million lawsuit against Tokio Marine and Fire Insurance Co. Ltd. and Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc. for alleged failure to settle insurance obligations in connection to a car collision that occurred more than a decade ago. Lizama, who suffered severe injuries from that crash, claims he is an innocent third-party beneficiary under applicable insurance policies. The plaintiff, in a complaint filed at the Superior Court, said that when he sought payment for damages as a result of the accident, TMFI and PIU allegedly failed to investigate and settle his insurance claims.